Farmers and agricultural workers are being offered free health checks at a community health event at the Borderway Auction Mart in Carlisle on Monday 1 April.
The session will offer free health checks, advice on common long term conditions and healthy living choices at the Rosehill Mart between 10am-2pm and is open to everyone.
The event is being arranged by the Rotary Club of Brampton & Longtown and is supported by local organisations including NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, Cumbria County Council, H&H Group, Lloyd’s Pharmacy, and Carlisle City Council. The organisers are particularly keen to attract people from the rural areas who may not seek out health advice.
Kevin Walsh of Brampton & Longtown Rotary Club, and Chairman of the Carlisle Dementia Action Alliance, has helped to plan the event and said: “It’s a community event with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and we’re encouraging people to just drop in and take part in a simple health check.
“It could be a vital opportunity for underlying health conditions to be detected early, so that they can be treated now rather than being left to potentially become more serious in the future.
“Everyone is welcome even if you just wanted to come by with questions about your general health or needed advice and support with your personal wellbeing.”
A team from Lloyds Pharmacy will be providing Health Checks on the day including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and if appropriate, a cholesterol check.
Tests can help identify underlying conditions that could result in stroke, heart disease or diabetes, all of which are much simpler to treat if detected early. There will also be a pharmacist available for any medical or health advice required from any participant.
Richard Rankin, chief executive of H&H Group plc which is hosting the event, said: “As soon as I heard the possibility of an event like this it was a no-brainer, Kevin and his team have been fantastic at pulling it all together and making it happen.
“We recognise our customers have busy lives and do not always have much contact with health professionals, therefore, we’ll bring them to our customers. This event has our full backing and I’ll be personally encouraging our own people to get involved and take advantage of this service. And that includes me!”
Representatives from Carlisle & Eden Mind, Age UK (Carlisle & Eden), Stroke Association, MacMillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer’s Society, North West Ambulance Service, the Carlisle City Council Sugar Smart campaign and Cumbria County Council Public Health team will also be there.
If members of the public would like further information about the event, they can get in touch with Kevin Walsh via email: [email protected] or telephone: 07967 108803.
